The size of a Pocket Beagle has to be less than 13″ to qualify, as defined by the Beagle breed standard.
As a smaller version of the standard Beagle they typically weigh around 15 to 18 pounds.
Pocket Beagles are registered as a smaller standard Beagle, and are not as an independent breed, by the American Kennel Club.
These smaller dogs are now gaining popularity again. Pocket Beagles are also called Teacup Beagle’s or Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle’s.
You thought Beagles were cute! Take a look at the Pocket Beagle, you could almost put them in your pocket, no pun intended.
History of the Pocket Beagle
The history of the Pocket Beagle dates back to the the 13th century. These miniature Beagles, also known as ‘Glove Beagles’ were used by noblemen to hunt.
The original name came from the fact that the noblemen wore heavy leather hunting gloves.
In the 15th century, Queen Elizabeth was known to own the miniature breed.
She would carry them on horseback, and so they became known as the Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagle.
The Queen would also entertain her guests by letting them run wild on top of the dining tables, she called them her “singing dogs”.
They declined in popularity in the mid to late 18th century as larger dogs were preferred for hunting and trail companions.
Actually there were Pocket Beagles in the early 1900s. However, the kennels were wiped out by distemper, and none of the variety survived.
What is the cost of a Pocket Beagle
As they are specially bred, you are going to find the cost of buying a Pocket Beagle more expensive than that of a standard Beagle breed.
A breeder could charge in anything between $500 – $1500.
A typical litter size is around seven puppies.
Where To Buy Pocket Beagles
So you’re interested in buying a Pocket Beagle, who wouldn’t be! The problem is due to their scarcity, breeders are limited. We’ve found a couple of breeders who are worth contacting.
Pocket Beagles USA in Texas is a well-established licensed kennel. Situated on a 40-acre farm, each puppy is handled daily by the breeder.
They have a personal relationship with every puppy. They have many excellent testimonials, so you can be assured you are dealing with professionals.
Scarlett’s Old English Pocket Beagles If you are looking for a Pocket Beagle that has been raised in a home and potty trained then this breeder is for you. Located in New York.
All puppies are vaccinated, dewormed, vet checked, with a puppy health guarantee, and a certificate to the old English Pocket Beagle Registry.
Finding a rescue Pocket Beagle can be more difficult as they are not such a popular breed, however, you may be lucky to come across one.
If you are interested in giving one a home, it would be a good idea to register your interest with a Beagle rescue center.
As a guide, the average cost to keep and care for a Pocket Beagle would be between $70 to £100 a month depending on the level of insurance cover you opt to buy for your dog.
Are Pocket Beagles good with families
If you’re looking for a cute loveable dog, then a Pocket Beagle is a great dog to own.
They are loving and are great with children.
Their nature and temperament are ideal as a family pet. They are playful and curious, and unlike the standard Beagle, their energy levels are much lower.
So if you’re a family who aren’t big into exercising, but would like to own a Beagle, then the Pocket Beagle is worth considering.
Choosing a Pocket Beagle
While modern Pocket Beagles are really cute dogs, the breeding has not become sophisticated enough for them to be bred without health issues.
If you decide on Pocket Beagle, do be sure to get one from a registered breeder, as mentioned above.
Don’t forget that you can get standard Beagles at just 13″, and this will ensure you are getting a healthy dog. However if you’re looking for a smaller dog. You could always choose a Beagle mix, listed below:
- Cheagle (Chihuahua and Beagle mix)
- Borkie (Beagle and Yorkshire Terrier mix)
- Beaglier (Beagle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix)
- Meagle (Miniature Pinscher and Beagle mix)
The table below show the average weight of your puppy
| Age (months) | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|
| 3 | 3.5 – 6 |
| 6 | 10 – 13 |
| 9 | 13 – 18 |
| 12 | 15 – 18 |
What do Pocket Beagles eat?
They may be small and cute, but they are after all a hound breed. So don’t expect them to be eating less than other puppies.
Given the chance they will over eat, so try and limit their food to around 1 cup of kibble a day., including snacks and treats.
Try to split this into 2 or 3 meals a day.
Also! remind your children not to feed them any scrapes from the table, or this could cause them to gain weight and cause canine diabetes.
It’s Ok to give them some fruit and veg, but for the majority of their diet, kibble is the way to go.
It’s worth considering a fun-feeder or slow-down bowl these products will allow your puppy to eat their food over a period of time rather than in one go.
What exercise do Pocket Beagles need?
The Pocket Beagle needs exercise like any other breed, but their small statue means they will be limited to the distance they can walk.
They have plenty of energy but will burn out quicker than a standard Beagle.
As a hound like their larger sibling, they will send most of their walking time with their noses to the ground following a scent.
To stimulate the Beagle, try to find new walks which will give your dog new experiences and new scents to follow.
Remember! make sure you’re in a secure area if you plan to take your Beagle off the leash.
Given the chance your Beagle will wander off once it has a scent to follow, and even with the best recall this breed’s nose will lead it more than it’s will to return to you.
Pocket Beagles are great pets if you live in an apartment as they need less space, but you will still need to exercise them outside.
Lemon Pocket Beagle
Not all Beagles are the same, just like the standard Beagle, the Pocket Beagle can display different colors and patterns. One of the variations is the Lemon Beagle.
The lemon-colored Pocket Beagle is distinctive among the breed, and although rare, they do exist.
Born as a pure white or mostly white puppy, with some lemony light tan patches. The coat will darken as the puppy grows.
The white coat will become more cream, and lemon patches may stay the same or darken slightly. However a true lemon Beagle will always have a yellow color.
Although there are 11 different standard Beagle coat colors, including lemon, it is not actually seen as a non-standard color.
Of all the Beagle coat colors, lemon or lemon/white is the lightest, but they also have the darkest noses.
A Lemon Beagle is still a hound and as such there will always be at least a two colors in the coat.
Official Beagle breeders and Beagle club members often refer to a lemon coat Beagle as a bi-color coat.
As they are more of a rarity than the standard Beagle, a Lemon Beagle will be more expensive to buy from a registered breeder.
Are Pocket Beagles healthy
The life expectancy of any animal as with humans is difficult to estimate, due to their being many factors including health and the environment.
The lifespan of a Beagle is no different, in fact, the lifespan of a Beagle is greatly affected by the owner, and how he or she cares for their dog. Many causes of death for a Beagle can be avoided.
Research has found that the average life expectancy of a Beagle is between 12 and 15 years, averaging around 13.5.
Pocket Beagles like standard Beagles can have health issues, these are commonly found in both types such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and degenerative myelopathy.
If the Beagle is a mix breed, then it’s possible they will inherit that breeds health issues too.
Being a smaller version of the standard breed, dwarfism will carry it’s own health issues.
These include respiratory problems due to depressed nasal bridge which causes loud breathing, snoring, and heavy panting.
They can also develop spinal problems due to their size.
Like any small dog, Pocket beagles will be vulnerable to other health problems, which are due to their mixed breeding methods.
Some of these issues could be Patellar Luxation, Intervertebral disk disease, Pancreatitis, Mitral valve disease, Whelping problems, and Homeostasis imbalance.
5 Things You Should Know
- Pocket Beagles are also called Teacup Beagles or Queen Elizabeth Pocket Beagles.
- Beagles have 220 million scent receptors compared to 5 million in humans.
- A full grown Pocket Beagle is typically 25% smaller than their standard sized cousins.
- Pocket Beagles are not recognized by the AKC as its own independent breed type, they are registered as a smaller standard Beagle.
- The Beagle is rated the 5th most popular dog in the United States.
In Conclusion
The Pocket Beagle is a great family dog. They are low maintenance, making them easy to care for.
They are Ideal for first time owners, but you will need to be patient as they can become bored very quickly.
To combat this, you will need to keep them busy with games, walks, and keep them mentally stimulated due to their natural intelligence.
Due to the newness of the breed, the breeding has not become sophisticated enough for them to be bred without the possibility of some health issues.
If you have any doubts about owning a Pocket Beagle then a standard beagle maybe a safe choice.
A standard Beagle is classed as a small dog, and as the breed is well established, you are less likely to have less health issues.